The legal process forces immigrants to wait 10 – 20 years to find the American dream.

Migrant workers from Mexico pick cucumbers on a farm in Blackwater, Virginia.

– Laura Elizabeth Pohl/Bread for the World via Flickr (CC BY-NC 2.0).

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — While undocumented immigrants often face blame for circumventing the law to come to the United States, U.S. immigration policy is so broken that it produces wait lists of inconceivable length, says a Catholic migrant advocate.

“People have to wait 10, 20 years before immigrating to the U.S., and it’s just unthinkable for Americans that we would have to wait that long,” Corey Almond, vice president of family immigration services at Catholic Charities of Central Colorado, told CNA.

“I don’t think that’s a concept we get, as Americans, because we go anywhere we want mostly,” he said.

Almond explained that without a family or an employee sponsor, “the opportunities to immigrate legally to the U.S. can be very limited.” And even when seeking family unification, the immigration process “can be very difficult, and oftentimes very long.”

Employee sponsorship is limited 5,000 people per year for lower-skilled workers, meaning that it is “not a reality” for poorer migrants, who are less educated.

The small number of available visas for temporary or agricultural workers is a small fraction of “the demand that we have in our economy for the immigrant labor that we use,” Almond said.

“There isn’t a way for ʻjust anybody’ to come to the U.S,” he said.

Americans are privileged enough to live in a culture that fosters the idea that “if you work really hard and have a goal” a person can accomplish anything — and can therefore easily think that anyone with a good work ethic will have a legal path to immigrating here, Almond said.

“But that’s just not true,” he added.

Unless a U.S. citizen works in immigration services, or has immigrated themselves, Almond said, “it’s very difficult to understand how hard it is to immigrate in a legal way to the U.S.”

Almond’s office helps immigrants with their documentation, as they seek green cards, citizenship or deferred action for childhood arrivals. Unfortunately, he said, “there are many people we’re not able to help immigrate in a legal way,” because they lack “doors,” legal routes, to living and working in the U.S.

Catholic Charities of Central Colorado sees many migrants who are well educated, yet could not support their families in their home country, because “jobs in their field were scarce.” There are also many Christians, who have sought asylum or refugee status, who had been persecuted for their religion.

“It’s also true that there’s a lot of violence, escaping gang violence, from south of the border, and in those cases, it’s not easy to find humanitarian relief through the immigration system,” Almond explained. “The qualifications for being a refugee or asylee [a person seeking asylum] do not necessarily cover everyone who’s trying to leave an unsafe situation for their family.”

The “incredibly complicated” legislation and regulation governing immigration, he said, today means that “the way people immigrated at the time of our founding as a country was much different than it happens now.”

It was “largely the case,” Almond said, until the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, that there were nearly no limits on who could immigrate to the United States or how many immigrants would be allowed.

“The situation of people immigrating today is very different than it was for our ancestors,” he said, speaking of Anglos and other European descendents. “We need to understand that when we talk about the policy.”

Migrating is “a hardship,” Almond said, adding that “people might think … it’s a fun thing, or an exciting adventure, to come to the U.S.,” but that for the people who are “forced” to migrate, whether by persecution, violence, or economic destitution, “it’s not a comfortable move.”

“It’s not what we might be used to,” he said. “When we travel, many of us Americans are somewhat in luxury, knowing where we’re going to, having arranged the living situation, having the travel and finances figured out.”

“For many migrants,” on the other hand, “it’s a leap of faith.”

Migration is a feature of the human condition “from time immemorial,” Almond said, and Catholics need to ensure that their response to immigration “fits with our Catholic teaching.”

“The U.S. bishops have advocated for comprehensive reform, and that’s what would be the best approach to tackling some of the issues right now,” he said.

At the end of June, the Senate passed a bipartisan-backed bill for comprehensive immigration reform that would provide a path to citizenship for most of the 11 million immigrants currently in the United States illegally, as well as a new worker visa program and border security investment.

The Republican-controlled House is in the midst of a five-week recess, but House GOP leaders have indicated they are unlikely to support the Senate’s bill. Instead they may focus on a step-by-step process that takes up border security measures before the legalization of undocumented migrants.

Comments

Thank you HR. The register is reporting the truth that is currently affecting many Catholics in our country. It is not the American Register, its the Catholic Register and our first thought should be for our fellow Catholics. I am with the Republicans though(and many Hispanics) in that we need to secure the border, and I also agree that another amnesty would just cause more congestion in the immigration process. How can they talk of amnesty when they are not processing documentation for people who have been waiting for 20 years to get their visas? I know someone who has been waiting almost that long. They were about 12 when their dad (a legal resident) applied for them in 1994 and to the day have never had trouble with the law or been in a gang. They are here because every other member of their immediate family is a legal resident (3 are citizens). Unfortunately, since he turned 21 just before his family members got their visas, he was put onto a new list and is currently lost in the mess. About 10 years ago he was told he would be getting his visa “any day now.” I too am frustrated that too many criminals get through, but be careful about categorizing people. There are many good catholic people who are automatically lumped into categories just like the immigrants who were mistreated in the past. Also don’t assume that people refuse to learn English. How long it takes for someone to learn English depends on how often they hear English spoken. How long would it take you to be completely comfortable speaking a foreign language? and why wouldn’t they want to talk to their family members and friends in their native language? I am a Spanish translator with many years experience and its still sometimes exhausting to think and speak all day in Spanish. Most of my Hispanic friends’ children speak more English than Spanish, and some stop speaking Spanish completely at a young age. The register is concerned about people like my friend who have been waiting too long to go through the process legally. Perhaps they don’t realize that another amnesty would lead to another pile of family members trying to be reunited with their parents/spouses. I don’t trust any legislation written by Obama and company also.

Posted by Gaborlear on Sunday, Aug 25, 2013 1:28 PM (EDT):

I am an immigrant. Immigrants by definition are here legally. We all learned English, even my 65 year old grandmother. We waited in line for years to enter legally. We never drove without a license or forged documents,
Please don’t slur us by refering to people who entered the country illegally as immigrants. You can call them migrants, workers, or whatever. Please don’t call the immigrants. It’s not true.

Posted by old Sue on Tuesday, Aug 20, 2013 3:36 PM (EDT):

Rosie: You are so right..When I lived in Vir. the Priest was saying the Mass in half English and half Spanish/Mexican. I never did learn to speak Italian, because my parents spoke English to us. Was easy for my mother because she came here at age 10 and Dad, who came at age 21, learned. I have had people say “oh, isn’t it a shame you don’t speak a second language”. Ha, there has never been a time when it would have come in handy for me, but today the Gov’t. has allowed so many illegal aliens into this country that half of everything is in Spanish…how are they going to learn English. Our church never bent over backwards for the Ellis Island immigrants, [who never burned our Flag or stomped on it]because they just did not care…now they are saying we should be more accepting and welcoming?
Dan, we do have respect for other ethnics and races, but they have to have respect in return. Remember some of the ethnics in our country have no respect for our Flag, some just want what they can get for nothing. I have a Brazillian niece who married my nephew and her two daughters said they could easily live in Argentina…[that is how they were brought up, they don’t care.] My parents brought their 6 children up to be 100% Americans. As to other races, I was brought up to have respect for them and I know that most have respect for us but it is the higher-ups like the so-call Reverends: Sharpton, Jackson, etc who keep the problem alive because they are making money from it, you know that and so do I. When this problem with Zimmerman came up they & the Pres. spoke for the Blacks {more or less taking sides} and when the white kid was attacked on the school bus…..what was said. See what I mean. These things work two-ways. I have Black, Asian, Jews, Brazillian, Irish, Italian, Argentinian, English, Swedish, homo-sexual friends [some in my family] and we respect one another. Those who tell us we are bigotted are the Bishops and the Reverends I mentioned….they all live high on the hog, don’t they. I am hoping our Pope Francis will teach all of them how to live. When I lived in Virginia, the Baptist Church was putting on picnics for the Migrants and induced them to join their church, so my Pastor did the same thing. This has been going on for ages…the Church should encourage these people to speak English…I never did hear of the Church having a class so they could learn the language, at least not in the Parishes I belonged to. Everything works two ways…what happens to a marriage when one loves and the other doesn’t anymore…divorce or separation or live with it.

Posted by Beverly on Tuesday, Aug 20, 2013 2:06 PM (EDT):

old Sue, our stories are so similar! I remember that years after my mother passed away one of my older cousins explained how the family had been kept at Ellis Island for two or three weeks because they had picked up head lice on the boat on the trip over. My parents taught me and my sisters great love of our country (the US). My father was also a smaller man, but thankfully, extremely strong! He needed that strength for the hard physical work he did his whole life. My mother also needed to be strong. She did hard factory work for forty years (working on a farm here before that). For anyone who is interested, the movie “The Golden Door” is a great way to educate yourself about immigrants coming here from Italy.

Would not a better idea to address the hardships that so many go through in Mexico, Guatemala, etc., be to try to improve their lives there? How about putting pressure on the governments of those countries to live up to their responsibilities? Mexico, for example, is very rich in oil. How about Mexico using some of that oil money for caring for their poor? My husband and I give what we can in charitable donations - some of it going to organizations that help people in these other countries, but these countries have to help their own as well.

Posted by Rosie on Monday, Aug 19, 2013 5:36 PM (EDT):

I live in a parish that is considered a “Hispanic American Center”. It is a dual parish. The Anglos mostly retired form one congregation while Spanish speaking persons of many cultures form the other congregation. It is quite divisive since the Spanish speaking want to have their own liturgies in their own language and cultural biases: Mexican, Cuban, Brazilian, Colombian,etc, etc. It seems there is very little effort to immerse in the language or culture of this country.
When my grand parents immigrated from French speaking Canada, the first priority was for everyone to learn English to become part of the community.

Posted by Dan on Monday, Aug 19, 2013 12:52 PM (EDT):

What some almost 50 years after Dr. King spoke from the steps of Lincoln Memorial call all people to greater love and respect we still have such hatred in our country. The Catholic Bishops have urged us time and again to “welcome the stranger”. In words of Pete Seeger: “when will we ever learn?”

Posted by old Sue on Monday, Aug 19, 2013 12:50 PM (EDT):

Mr. Almond: My grandfather came here in 1893, with a sponsor & a job waiting for him. He established himself and sent for his wife & 5 children three yrs. later. My grandmother and 5 kids travelled steerage. My mother was 10 yrs old and told me how everyone was in close living quarters and vomitting because of the sway of the ship. I found their passage here on Ellis Island.Com. Remember,in those days few people were H.S. or college educated, yet they needed a sponsor, a place to live, money in their pockets and they were examined by a doctor and if they had a cough or a rash they were sent back. These people came here LEGALLY, and were told the streets were lined with gold and when they got here they were the ones who built the streets. PEOPLE ON THIS BLOG:go to Ellis Island.com and read abt.the immigrants of that time. My Dad came here in 1910, died a yr. before retirement [working for/in a wholesale produce job, carrying 100 lbs potatoes on his back, etc and he was only 5’4” weighing 135 lbs. Died at age 64 and was never able to afford to visit his family in Italy. From the time he was 21, he never saw them again. Talk about sadness and hardship. So don’t tell me these immigrants then had it easy as compared to today. When my sister moved to Calif in the early 50’s she said that the illegal immigrant would come across the border with a pregnant woman, she has her baby here and therefore it is a citizen. They use that. Yes, our government took advantage of them for picking the produce in Calif….but so were the immigrants of yrs. ago used. My parents loved this country and we as children were taught to love and respect it also. You never heard of the Am.Flag being burned or stepped upon in those days. [and they did not have advocates] Today they had advocates, even in the Cath. Church. The immigrant ministry in my Virginia church stated to us “we were here before, we are here now and we are here to stay”. [said very arrogantly] They feel that much of their country was taken from them during the Spanish/Am. War and they are taught to have that attitude. Also in Calif. the CC was going out of their way to recruit upcoming priests from the Mexican population, because there was a shortage of Irish priests coming here for one, and less Am. entering the U.S. Seminaries. As a human being, I feel sorry for those in other countries who do not make a living and live under all sorts of stress, but as someone said “how many can we absorb in this country”. My niece is going to Finland to work and she not only needed a passport she needed a residency card. You people make is sound like we Americans are heartless…we aren’t but you have to be practicle. As I said before, if we could do immigration the right way in the 1800’s why can’t we do it again today when so many of us are well educated. You figure and just saying. I have a close Argentinian friend, who became a citizen, loves this country and never complains…also my son-in-law is an immigrant and loves this country. They did it the right way and it was not easy for them either, yet they never complain. MHO

Posted by TG on Sunday, Aug 18, 2013 11:04 PM (EDT):

Where is my comment from yesterday? Was it not posted because I am a Hispanic that does not support amnesty for illegal aliens. I support secure borders and think a work permit is all that should be given to illegal aliens who have a job here.

Posted by Larry Mandrell on Sunday, Aug 18, 2013 11:03 PM (EDT):

The author of this story, it is a “story” is totally misinformed I kinda
resent seeing it here on this forum.

Posted by Stephanie on Sunday, Aug 18, 2013 3:04 AM (EDT):

I understand the plight of those entering the country illegally. However, I don’t understand why they should go to the top of the list ahead of those who have followed the rules in their quest for immigration. I hear nothing in any of the mainstream media about them and sadly nothing from the leaders of the Catholic church in the USA about their struggles while following the laws. Yes, the immigration laws need to be amended however, they should not be amended to the exclusion of those who are following the rules.

Posted by Barbara on Sunday, Aug 18, 2013 2:07 AM (EDT):

If we are going to continue to refer to illegal immigrants as undocumented immigrants ( politically correct speech ), then I think it only fair to refer to drug dealers as unlicensed pharmacists. We are consistently taught by the Church that the end does not justify the means. Breaking the law to obtain citizenship is morally wrong no matter how you try to justify it. My grandfather came to this country from England in 1912. He had to have confirmation of a job from his American employer and a letter testifying to his character from his former employer. My how times have changed.

Posted by TG on Saturday, Aug 17, 2013 11:12 PM (EDT):

I believe illegal immigrants that are living here should just be given a work permit allowing them to stay here if they have a job But most Democrats and liberals don’t like that. They want more Democrat votes. I’m Hispanic but I am not for amnesty for illegal aliens. My father came to this country and he did it legally.

Posted by esse on Saturday, Aug 17, 2013 10:44 PM (EDT):

Thank you, Turley, thank you for telling the truth on this matter. Praying more will see the light and stop spreading lies like were published in this article. Have a feeling this may not be published, but I really do not care.

Posted by linny on Saturday, Aug 17, 2013 9:48 PM (EDT):

Americans will have to emigrate to where they (immigrates) are coming from. This immigration malarkey is pushed by the leftist agenda which has also infiltrated the Catholic church. Look how many voted for Obama. They had to know his stance on abortion and even late term abortion. He also nixed school vouchers in DC.
Immigration reform is just another name for future Democratic voter.

Posted by brian l on Saturday, Aug 17, 2013 9:42 PM (EDT):

Most Americans want our laws enforced. If we want open borders, vote for open borders. In the meantime, send all of those who have broken our immigration laws back to where they came from.

As part of her confirmation program, my daughter is supposed to go to Mexico to help build a house. I ask why, did all of the capable labor head north? Maybe they can pay some illegal El Salvadorans to do the work for them.

Posted by HR on Saturday, Aug 17, 2013 9:21 PM (EDT):

I usually don’t participate in online arguments because they never seem to go well, but I can’t let this article stand here with one angry comment on it without attempting to defend the author.

With all due respect, Turley, isn’t it possible that innocent, good people from all countries (not just Mexico) want to come to America who are not motivated by terrorism or crime? Unless you are descended from Native American tribes, you are the descendant of immigrants who came here to better their lives. Did your ancestors come here to pillage and rape? Most immigrants don’t come to American with that goal in mind. They come to better their lives.

You assume that every other country (as far as government, job opportunities, culture, etc. go) is just as good as America so that the only reason to immigrate would be to steal and terrorize. While I don’t doubt this is the motivation of some immigrants, it’s nearly impossible that it is the motivation of all immigrants. There are illegal immigrants from China, Mexico, India… all over the world. They come here because their native countries are poverty-stricken, oppressed, communist, anti-Catholic… you name it. Not to mention there is a rumor that America is the land of opportunity. This may or not be true, but it’s a huge motivating factor nevertheless. If they stay in their countries, their futures will consist of poverty, hunger, oppression, and possibly an early and unjust death. Millions of people all over the world are not free. Try to imagine what your own life in one of those countries would be like.

Like you, I was indignant that someone would just come into America without going through the proper channels. I equated it to a stranger coming into my or my parent’s house while I was on vacation. I would be angry if I came home to find some stranger had taken up residence in my house. But, if it was a family friend, I would be less angry and possibly happy that they had made themselves at home. And if it were someone running from a killer who had come in for refuge, I would take a whole different view of the matter. I would want him to be safe and work to find him his own safe house to live in. Granted, if the stranger were a terrorist or criminal, I would be less welcoming. And I would, of course, want him to be polite and respectful of my things.

At any rate, if I cannot convince you that this article is not a complete lie, at least try to be more charitable. This is a complex issue and unless you are an immigrant, sociologist, senator, border patrolman, or know someone who is an illegal immigrant, (and even if you are or do) you cannot know everything about this issue. Take a few breaths and do more in depth research before hurling angry generalizations about people you have been called to love.

Posted by Lawrence Mosher on Saturday, Aug 17, 2013 8:52 PM (EDT):

I try to move beyond the selfish, self-centered plane of thought a d strive to live as an active Catholic Layperson striving to be in the image of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Posted by Francis Ruffing on Saturday, Aug 17, 2013 7:53 PM (EDT):

This is going to be an interesting discussion to follow. I suspect I will have problems with both (all) sides of the argument. Certainly the comments of Corey Almond are somewhat disingenuous. There appears to be little honesty on one side and little sympathy and understanding on the other side. I hope to learn from this discussion. My fear is that the US is so politicized, particularly from the left, that no good solution can be found.

Frank

Posted by M.g. Stone on Saturday, Aug 17, 2013 7:01 PM (EDT):

We have friends who have gone through the process, MD who went to school in USA, was to return and fell in love, married and has worked as cardiologist, they have 7 children, the practice allows his return to country of origin for required time, this has gone on for years. He is now an American citizen. Worth the wait and hassle? He says it is the law, if you came to my country it would require same. We have owed a home in foreign country, paid taxes, but required to leave, go home and may return, we may not work, (employed) with out permission, & only approved professions. After 47 Yrs, we still check in immigrTion and stay only approved time. I simply don’t understand why people who come illegally, feel they are entailed to benifets of citizenship
Unless there is a different definition of illegal I do not know why entillement comes because they want to be here. When we travel, passports are necessary in some areas passports are kept and returned at departure, Nd one better be there to pick them up…. It’s worth it to come here and go through process, all are welcome to this place!

Posted by Michael Marshall on Saturday, Aug 17, 2013 6:35 PM (EDT):

As a Catholic American who is a citizen by birth, I see that advocates, whether Catholic or not, seem to feel that illegals should be given a fast track to being citizens. Well, that is so very bogus. The Catholic Charities needs to educate these people on the Laws and Regulations of this land. One thing most of these illegals want is dual citizenship so they can travel without visas and passports to their native countries. That is why they are waiting so long and feeling like they will never achieve the dream of this country. I don’t feel that the kids of those illegals are citizens either. there is is some very clear language, in the 14th Amendment, that most advocate ignore. that is why the problem is a so persist and is coming to a head now

Posted by Marnie on Saturday, Aug 17, 2013 5:42 PM (EDT):

This strange article promotes one social worker’s opinion, quoting what he thinks “most Americans” think. This American thinks there are way too many social workers employed by the Catholic Church and the U.S. government. They need to get out and work among “most Americans.”

Posted by Dale on Saturday, Aug 17, 2013 5:35 PM (EDT):

What a lie! And from a CATHOLIC blog?! What laws can I break (with church advocating) for a “better life.” Can I rob a bank? Our nation is being destroyed. 30% of federal prisons are filled with ILLEGAL immigrants. How can the Catholic church be part of this lie? How evil to to overpopulate us while we have a hard time finding work in this nation. Our ship is over filled. Stop sinking it!

Posted by old Sue on Saturday, Aug 17, 2013 4:34 PM (EDT):

The Catholic Bishops did not know how to handle the pedophilia problems and now they want Catholic Mexicans to come here and fill the pews of those who got disgusted and left the Church. How many more immigrants can we absorb in this country? Have the Bishops ever spoken to the Mexican Catholic Church and their government about taking care of their own people. We have all sorts of illegals crossing the Mexican borders [besides Mexicans] into the U.S. Obama turns the other cheek, so he can give handouts and then the Democrats gets the votes from them. We, U.S. citizens feel that our legal votes mean nothing. Remember, Mr. President to vote in the U. S. means that YOU HAVE TO BE A CITIZEN OF THE U.S. not another country.

Posted by Chris K on Saturday, Aug 17, 2013 4:26 PM (EDT):

It would be nice, but it is not possible for a country to accept unlimited immigrants. There must be a system and a procedure. Even “family re-unification” is unconvincing. Someone in the family chose to come to the US. The family could be re-united by that person returning to his home country.

What we should guarantee is a timely answer to all applications. I adopted orphans from other countries. The expense and unknown delay of getting permission to bring the children here is inexcusable.

And the church needs to recognize that it can help people in their own countries too; we don’t have to bring the world to the US to be charitable.

Posted by DoloresmWeaver on Saturday, Aug 17, 2013 3:42 PM (EDT):

Immigration is totally different than illegal immigration. We live in such a different world today and we as a soverign nation are obliged to secure our borders and maintain our identity of being a nation of laws. The past irresponsible attitudes of illegals has made the situation worse and now we are faced with fixing a broken system. Many things to consider as far as education,healthcare,safety. So lets keep our heads and stop sounding like bleeding hearts without considering the realities of immigration reforms that would be most feasible and fair for both the immigrant and the USA.

Posted by Don L on Saturday, Aug 17, 2013 3:18 PM (EDT):

“undocumented migrants”
The bias of any writer who uses this politically contrived deceit to describe illegal acts is transpaernent and by so choosing it, also must assume that a rapist who impregnates his victim is merely an undocumented father…and that “choice” adequately describes the willful destruction of a helpless undocumented living human being.

Again, every human being has the right to freedom of movement and of residence within the confines of his own State. When there are just reasons in favor of it, he must be permitted to emigrate to other countries and take up residence there. The fact that he is a citizen of a particular State does not deprive him of membership in the human family, nor citizenship in that universal society, the common, world-wide fellowship of men.

——————————

What saddens me is the hateful bigotry from many Catholics of the United States that I have witnessed toward immigrants, legal and/or illegal. It is like a modern 60’s racist problem.

I do understand the need for some type of control, and so did Pope John XXIII,“when there are just reasons in favor of it”, but I must agree with Carl Bunderson’s article. United States Citizens are a privileged people. I have already been to Mexico twice, and all I needed was my passport, but for a Mexican to come here they need more than just their passport. Is that fair? We talk about fairness, and freedom. We talk about universal free trade, but we are quickly becoming our on worse enemy by finding all kinds of excuses to close our borders. Thus, the terrorists have won by taking away our freedom.

If the Catholics of the United States do not understand what Universal means, and that immigrants, legal/illegal, “does not deprive him of membership in the human family, nor citizenship in that universal society, the common, world-wide fellowship of men,” than the Catholic Church is splitting apart. I am a patriot but I am Catholic, first, and my allegiance is with the Holy Father at the Vatican, Rome, Italy.

Posted by Don L on Saturday, Aug 17, 2013 3:05 PM (EDT):

The confusion of moral issues(this is a religious website) arrives when, either deliberately, or due to casual observation, the issues surrounding immigration fail to differentiate between the moral questions requiring adherence to laws that are moral and that of rewarding illegal acts with actions that that encourage the breaking of just law.
No one, is starving at our gates—thus, according to the Catholic Catechism, the business of immigration is to be left to the laity—contrary to the pressure from the USCCB.
If there is unfairness (isn’t life—the poor will be with you always) to our immigration laws(among the most generous on the planet)then that is a totally separate issue and needs to be dealt with accordingly by moral people of good will.
The issue of separation of families due to breaking of just law is no different than we see in every day life in some communities where sons and fathers, and now daughters, seek to separate themselves from their families merely by their free will choice to break law (and usually sin greatly). Those who would argue the re-unification questions without considerating the the freely chosen cause of the problem, and the easily available remedy, would ignore or degrade moral law, or they must stand ready to argue that no laws should be enfored that cause separation of families; thus demanding the opening of all prisons….

Posted by Dave Kwiecinski on Saturday, Aug 17, 2013 2:45 PM (EDT):

I heartily concur with Turley’s comments. The Internal Revenue Code is beyond broken, many of those in positions of authority within the system are corrupt, incompetent, or both. Should we likewise ignore those laws?

Name an agency of this massive federal government. The situation is comparable. Should we ignore mandates that come from them as well?

Why not? Let’s just turn the United States into a lawless society. Do what we think is morally best. Yeah ... let’s turn this country into a bigger mess than it’s in right now. We ignore the constitution. May as well ignore the entire legal system.

I cannot believe I read this in the Register. I’m depressed.

Posted by Ulla on Saturday, Aug 17, 2013 1:56 PM (EDT):

Absolutely true. Thanks for the article. I know an extreme highly skilled Scientist, who holds several Dr. titles, who applied for a visa but ended up at immigration court and was almost deported. The immigration procedure is on hold for 8 Years and no there seems to be no end…
Nobody is speaking about legal immigrants. But also the church is not able to help them, because they focus too much on illegal immigration.

Posted by Ray Marshall on Saturday, Aug 17, 2013 1:32 PM (EDT):

If we didn’t have wait lists, we would probably have 10 or 20 million immigrants a year. We have had limits on immigration to this country since the mid-1920s.

Posted by Dan on Saturday, Aug 17, 2013 1:13 PM (EDT):

Someone is not listening to the US Bishops!

Posted by Marcy W. on Saturday, Aug 17, 2013 1:03 PM (EDT):

The article is not talking about people who are criminals or terrorists, but regular people from other countries to wish to emigrate. The whole immigration system needs to be reformed and in a fair way, not the politically crazy way it is now. There are probably many people here who are here illegally, but that was not their original intent. Yes, there are bad people who want to become citizens but many who are not. Each person has to be evaluated individually. We need to get that wall up and enforce the laws already on the books but also, as Catholics, we need to have compassion and try to make fair, simpler laws. It is ridiculous to wait decades to be a citizen.

Posted by Dori Bolling on Saturday, Aug 17, 2013 1:02 PM (EDT):

I came to the USA in 1992 to pursue an MS Degree in Chemical Engineering and became a citizen after I started working. Although I could have acquired citizenship by virtue of my professional work, my being married to an American citizen expedited the process by 3 years. I went through the somewhat demoralizing process of immigration and felt pity watching the uneducated immigrants who were treated more disrespectfully than me during processing of immigration papers. I BELIEVE that was so because they have not had as good understanding of the process and could not express themselves well. I THANK GOD that I made it through the ordeal intact from within! Except for my oldest niece, it is only I who immigrated to the USA; the 7 members of my family and their children are all living in the Philippines, except for a sister in Singapore, and a brother who may someday immigrate here as he has been under petition for many years along with his wife through his wife’s mother and relatives who are citizens of the USA. I look forward for my brother’s coming in hope to have another family member at least in the same country who I can visit more easily! I am aware of various little ways by which people enter the USA or other country for that matter. In Singapore for instance, domestic helpers are brought in by employment agencies which help them procure legal papers. However I learned that they remain at the mercy of their employment agencies and although possessing legal papers some of them get abused depending on the virtue (or lack of) from their employment agency and/or employer contact. While I was still in the Philippines, I encountered relatives who knew overseas workers in cargo ships who “jumpshipped” away from their legal working status (Jumpship is the term used for seamen who runaway to hide and live with people they know waiting for 10 and 20 years so they can file legal papers - that was a known immigration law then!). I have also been asked questions many times before during parties if I am a mail-order bride, a domestic helper and I was also asked if I came to the USA as a nurse and these people were surprised at my answer “I am a Chemical engineer and I came to the USA to pursue my MS degree in Chemical Engineering!” Obviously many people encountered immigrants whose routes of immigration are through those I mentioned. Let me add that I would think that hiding as an illegal immigrant for such long period of time is not a pleasant route for immigration either. Why do some people do it? Perhaps it is indeed a leap of faith that it is better for them to take a chance that way instead of staying where they came from with not much opportunity to find employment to earn a decent living. There is no doubt that illegal immigration is not the right thing to do for anyone regardless of the reason and I certainly do not understand why people would take such a leap of faith other than perhaps they do not understand all the perils along the pilgrim way. So far the above cases I have cited I BELIEVE overall are only little ways of illegal immigration and it is simply shared to contrast what I would point out to next. I BELIEVE human trafficking brings in illegal immigrants in numbers that become a problem and we need to remember that there are middle men and women involved in such business operation leaving the customers, that is, immigrants without legal documents hostage by those who brought them in, and they are twice vulnerable! As we all know, IMMIGRATION is a complex situation and there is no easy answer but however the case may be, it is fitting for the Catholic Church to minister to the twice vulnerable illegal immigrants because we uphold the dignity of every human being regardless of the civil circumstances. I HOPE this sharing will bring on a perspective of immigration that will draw compassion for the ones who are truly oppressed and will make people think that the true oppressors are the ones who capitalize on the vulnerability of these people. As always EDUCATION is key because if these people are educated then they will not be taken advantaged and lured into being illegal immigrants so easily. Remember also that Joseph, the foster father of Jesus, had to take Mary and the infant Jesus into Egypt to flee Herod; they too became illegal immigrants. Can we say that Joseph did the wrong thing?

Posted by Daniel on Saturday, Aug 17, 2013 12:29 PM (EDT):

First of all, it’s I-L-L-E-G-A-L immigration. Second, we’re full up on fruit &vegetable; pickers, goatherds and gang members. The reason it’s difficult for many people with no skills to gain entry is because they have no skills. Amnesty and adding more to our public aid rolls won’t help.

Posted by Eric Borgman on Saturday, Aug 17, 2013 12:20 PM (EDT):

I hate to say it but the truth of the matter is that the Catholic Church is coming down on the wrong side of this issue. Even in the Bible the people had to ask permission of the authorities to move from territory to territory. The American Catholic bishops can make mistakes too. Look how many supported and support the Democratic Party the previous supporters of slavery and now the Party of Death with its support and promotion of abortion, euthanasia and homosexual marriage.

Posted by Steve Krulin on Saturday, Aug 17, 2013 12:12 PM (EDT):

Might I add most Americans believe a lack of heath insurace which would provide a defense from catistrophic medical situations is an “unthinkable” situation . . . . . . However a hughe majority of Americans can SEE that a law which was passed without being read, which provides none of its promises regarding costs, provides no actual healthcare or even a reduction in those without health insurance coverage, and was meant metely to take over and control what to the world was “the best healthcare system” is a very bad deal. And who believes an “immigration reform” law similarly rushed through in secret (and unread) will solve anything? I do not.

Posted by Jim Schwarz on Saturday, Aug 17, 2013 12:08 PM (EDT):

I am deeply troubled by Turley’s comments. We are called to welcome the stranger and to love EVERYONE. Having said that, I find the questions raised by immigration issue very complex. There are innocent victims. Children brought here by their parents who came to this country illegally who know nothing of their county of birth, perhaps not even the language. They have siblings born in the US- American citizens. Do we split up families? Our bishops have declared the right of people to immigrate AND the right of a nation to control its borders. Do we need more unskilled workers while so many of our own unskilled workers are unemployed or “unemployable”. “Americans are privileged enough to live in a culture that fosters the idea that “if you work really hard and have a goal” a person can accomplish anything — and can therefore easily think that anyone with a good work ethic will have a legal path to immigrating here”
Immigrants who come here often have that work ethic. They often have respect for life and a family values system. They have a potential of being an example to those who do not hold those values. They also have the potential of being converted to a culture of death and dependency. Of seeing government as their savior. As to whether they will remain or convert to Catholicism: Some of us have the same attitude as many Europeans had toward the Jews. I’m going to quote Luther on that subject, “I sooner would have become a hog than a Christian.”

Posted by GHU on Saturday, Aug 17, 2013 12:02 PM (EDT):

Our “Catholic teaching” does not promote breaking the laws of countries. If I went into another country illegally and stayed, took jobs from their citizens (yes I know some US construction builders who went out of business because of illegals taking their jobs), used illegal documents and then demanded free healthcare, education for my children, food stamps, couldn’t speak their language and didn’t even want to become a citizen of that country; I’d probably be in jail or deported immediately. How many illegal immigrants should the USA allow to come in? How is the government going to continue to pay for all this free help for illegals when we are almost broke now? Exactly how does the Catholic Church condone all the drug dealing, sex trafficking, criminals coming into the USA? Yes, we should help the poor ( which I give food, clothing and money to frequently), but we can not continue to allow this insanity to continue. The Senate bill does nothing to secure the border, which must be done first! The Senate bill only does one thing, help Democrats get more voters.

Posted by Steve Krulin on Saturday, Aug 17, 2013 11:51 AM (EDT):

I agree with mr/ms Turley. A conscientious decision to not enforce the current laws has permitted millions of illegal entrants to stream through the borders. A nation without borders is NOT a nation. Millions of people who want to LEGALLY come here are waiting. The solution to our “illegal immigrant” problem begins with securing our borders, then crafting SMALL laws to correct the LEGAL immigration process and enforce the laws. THEN after the borders are secure, finding a humane AND workable solution(s) for the ILLEGALs and their progeny. Those attmpting to bring down the United States are using the tactic of overwhelming an agency or system so that it cannot function - thus collapsing piece by piece our nation and culture. And what else would an “advocate” claim or say but that “the majority of this or that aporoves”? Look to Bishop Tobin of Rhode Island - the left (democrats by another lable) are as they always become, rabidly anti-Catholic, anti-truth and pro the father of all lies. Pray for our nation.

Posted by chey on Saturday, Aug 17, 2013 11:42 AM (EDT):

I don’t know what universe Corey Almond lives in, but as a person who still lives in the bario I can tell you this is major BS

Posted by Rose Chavez on Saturday, Aug 17, 2013 11:31 AM (EDT):

According to catholic charities how many immigrants per year should the US take? Any limits at all ? how about trying to do more in other countries to make their plight better in their home country?

Posted by Mom on Saturday, Aug 17, 2013 11:29 AM (EDT):

What do you think?

Posted by Beverly on Saturday, Aug 17, 2013 11:28 AM (EDT):

And where exactly would opening the floodgates to more immigrants leave families like mine? My husband, who works as a house painter, and has one employee, is already priced out of many, many jobs. He pays all the fees, taxes, and insurances he is supposed to pay, but has to compete against illegal immigrants who pay none of these. We already live a hand to mouth existence. We haven’t had a vacation in at least eleven years, and retirement? That will be out of the question.
For families like mine, whose ancestors came here legally a hundred years ago, and faced all the hardships that came with that, this is a slap in the face.

Posted by Dale on Saturday, Aug 17, 2013 1:54 AM (EDT):

@Turley
The advocate quoted in the article says nothing which approves of illegal immigration, let alone encourage it. What he does say is that the current system doesn’t work, and that needs to be fixed.

Posted by Chicano on Saturday, Aug 17, 2013 1:05 AM (EDT):

Amnesty is going to happen whether you like it or not. Manifest Destiny, folks. Enjoy the ride.

Posted by Julie on Friday, Aug 16, 2013 10:13 PM (EDT):

It is very difficult, even for Catholics, to support the Senate bill for four specific reasons. First, our president has once again made it his business to give preference to same-sex “spouses” who want to immigrate here, while his Attorney General mounts a vigorous campaign to deport a natural family—-husband, wife, and their children—-who happen to be German Christians and who sought asylum here in order to homeschool their children, something Germany does not allow parents to do. Just what kind of future American “family” is our present legislators aiming for? Second, the Senate bill fast-tracks illegal immigrants to legal status, ahead of those who patiently wait their turn by legal means. The “back of the line” should mean just that—-the BACK of the line. Third, there is NO requirement to achieve the cornerstone of full participation in society, namely, the ability to speak, read, and write the English language prior to achieving citizenship. Fourth, the immigration bill signed by President Reagan in 1986 (or thereabouts) contained laws and procedures for securing America’s borders. So, why do we have approximately 11 million illegal immigrants here? They are here because the laws are NOT ENFORCED and enforcement programs have NOT BEEN ADEQUATELY FUNDED. There is no thinking American who would argue our immigration system must be reformed sooner rather than later, but the current Senate bill is NOT the answer.

Posted by dan tracy on Friday, Aug 16, 2013 9:17 PM (EDT):

The legal immigration process is broke. My wife went through it and the amount of time, money, and form filing is frustrating. Oh, and the lost all of our paper work and we had to re-submit everything, and then later on in the process we were asked to submit paperwork that we had previously submitted. Ended up contacting our congressman’s office to help expedite the process.

Anything that legalizes the undocumented workers will be a bureaucratic mess as well. That’s unfortunate as many are hardworking and do work many Americans do not want to do.

Posted by SK on Friday, Aug 16, 2013 8:37 PM (EDT):

It would be nice if every person crossing our border was just some poor average Joe looking for a better life, but that is NOT reality. The truth is that we have gangs, terrorists, and a lot of other really dangerous people that flaunt our lax security so they can come and go as they please and bring the crime, drugs, and destruction with them. THIS is why Americans are afraid of opening the floodgates and letting everyone in. It’s not that Americans are racist (and I resent the fact that this article assumes all those for stricter immigration are white - THAT is racist).

Just go out and try to illegally live in a lot of countries in this world, you will find America is one of the friendliest places to be an illegal. America just gives you a 1 way plane ticket if we get upset with you, other countries will kill an illegal.

I would love to welcome the friendly, average Joes that the Bishops keep insisting are around every corner, but in my neck of the woods we have a lot of illegal immigrants that are NOT seeking gainful employment and are instead here to support the work of foreign gangs that have invaded American soil. Americans are a very welcoming people when you respect our laws, but we have been burned one too many times by a lot of people that came here to hurt us, and that naturally makes us want to protect our families. If we don’t know who you are or why you came here without telling us then why should we immediately trust you?

Posted by Mr. Pepper on Friday, Aug 16, 2013 7:17 PM (EDT):

They should not come through illegally. But they have to wait up to 10 to 20 years. So, we should have sometime to try to help them come through with out the long wait.

Posted by Thomas Lews on Friday, Aug 16, 2013 6:49 PM (EDT):

Your an Advocate, what do you think we expect from Advocates, lies and more lies. Twisting of truth for a given end. The means justified your ends. Most Americans are already Americans. Your Point. If they were to go to another country better than American, they would wait as long as it takes to get in the door. WOULDN’T YOU? Are you saying something that fits your stupid perception of Time. Please, if it takes twenty years to buy a home, then it takes twenty years to buy a home. That life. SO YOUR POINT! You want the world to be a better place. Shut up and start living like the rest of us who understand what reality is. Its not a better place. quit playing stupid games with peoples feelings. Everyone hates to wait. Its just something that you have to sometimes.

Posted by Turley on Friday, Aug 16, 2013 4:44 PM (EDT):

This is an outright LIE!! Americans do NOT want a tremendous influx of illegal alien CRIMINALS to steal from them any more than they do. It is a travesty these so-called advocates do NOT talk to the majority of the American people. Americans do NOT want to pay for any more illegitimate children or murders from MS-13 or other groups. Moreover, they do NOT want Muslim terrorists coming across the southern border and becoming LEGAL here in this country. We have an extremely LAWLESS President and government and to condone criminal activity is to condone his policies, which are unconstitutional and ILLEGAL.

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